Sesshomaru's Off Day Dinners by kaoruhana

A Special Invitation

     February soon bled into April and Kagome found herself at a flower viewing party- a Hanami at the lcoal park with Sesshomaru, Rin, and Kohaku.  Sesshomaru took two weeks off in his restaurant business.  One was the first week of April- the week which generally held both Rin’s and his late mother’s birthdays, the other the first week of the year.  As he took in the fragrance of cherry blossoms on his rare Tuesday night off, he turned to his right and stared at Kagome.  She had become a constant companion to him and he found that he enjoyed cooking for her.  Each new dish he presented and got her approval from was a challenge won.  And each time she came to eat at his place it was enjoyable.  Sesshomaru enjoyed cooking but the dishes he served at the restaurant were different from the ones he served at home.  At home the food he made was special- it was made based on the ingredients and time he had on hand.  It was also made with different people in mind.  When he noticed Kagome shiver, he decided it was time for the special drink he’d brought with him, one that he had made with her in mind. 

     “Here.”  Kagome was surprised at the drink offered to her but took it nonetheless.  She never declined anything that came from Sesshomaru.  He was an amazing cook and she knew better than to turn an amazing offer like that down.  

     “What is it?”  She asked taking a tentative sip.  It tasted of chocolate and cinnamon-  a warm combination for a slightly cool April night.  It was lukewarm but the rich cinnamon taste was already warming her slightly chilled body. 

     “Hot chocolate with cinnamon powder.  I noticed you liked the cinnamon tea I made last week so I thought this might be a nice drink to make.”  Kagome flushed, something that she found she was doing around Sesshomaru’s presence lately.  In the past six months she could say that she and Sesshomaru had become closer and that lately she found herself falling for him.  It was just like her, she thought, coming from a family of cooks and falling in love with one. 

     “It’s lovely.  Thank you.”  A breeze blew through and some sakura petals floated down gently, one nearly landing in her cup.  Kagome laughed and picked it up from where it dangled off the side.  She was about to blow it to Sesshomaru when she stopped.  He was looking at her with an intense expression on his face, one that she had only seen once or twice.  It meant that he was deep in thought about something and that whatever he was thinking about was probably going to change an aspect of his lifestlye in some way.

     “Kagome what are you doing Friday?”  Kagome blinked before squeaking an answer out. 

     “I don’t have anything planned yet.  Why?” 

     “I want to have dinner with you, just you, on the first Friday night I’ve had off in a long time.  Would you be willing to do that?” 

     Kagome felt the blood rush to her face and the rapid beating of her heart.  Did he mean what she thought he meant?  She thought about it quickly- Rin’s two week holidays started Friday and she was going home to visit that afternoon.  That meant that Sesshomaru would be alone with her for dinner.  And he had asked her to make sure- didn’t that make it a date?

     “Are you asking me out on a date Sesshomaru?” Kagome asked carefully.  She didn’t want to get her hopes up but she wasn’t necessarily crushing them either. 

     “Only if you are willing to make it so.”  Kagome smiled- in Sesshomaru’s words that was as close to an affirmative as she was going to get. 

     “All right then.  Do you want me to bring anything?” 

     “Just yourself, some of that Sauvignon you brought with you to that first dinner, and a change of clothes.”  Kagome balked at the last few words and turned questioning eyes to him. 

     “I’d rather not see you home late.” He answered nonchalantly as his eyes narrowed.  Kagome was wondering what that was about but she never got to ask since Rin and Kohaku had chosen that moment to return.  What she failed to notice was Sesshomaru’s pensive glances at her cup.  Even for a man who knew his way around the kitchen finding the right spice for Friday night’s dessert was going to be tricky. 

* * * * *

A/N: Prompt: Cinnamon